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Santa Cruz boasts a Mediterranean climate, surf
and its quaint, laid-back atmosphere. Paddling
Santa Cruz Harbor is very enjoyable. Santa Cruz
is a popular a kayaking and SUP boarding
destination from which to embark on paddling
trips of a variety of lengths. As you paddle out
of the harbor and into the ocean, you can leave
all the worries and stress of the city behind.
For a more challenging paddle, you can start
at Natural Bridge State Park where you can
launch your kayak from the beach and paddle
up the coast to the sea caves and pocket
coves of Wilder Ranch. After paddling
through ‘Hole in the wall’ cave, you can
enjoy a nice lunch on a secluded beach.
Anywhere you can find parking and a path
down to the beach is a potential put-in for
a kayak. However, one of the best places to
launch a kayak is at the Santa Cruz Harbor.
While you can use the north or south side of
the harbor, the dock on the north side is
ideal to launch a kayak. If you paddle to
the right away from the docks, you’ll paddle
into the inlet. The inlet is in-between two
rock wall jetties protecting the harbor. Or
you can paddle out toward the ocean. Once
out into the ocean, you can head either left
or right. Just a short paddle from the Santa
Cruz Harbor is a number of areas productive
for rockfish, lingcod and halibut from May
through October. Halibut, salmon, crab and
rock fishing are decent on the inside waters
near the Santa Cruz Harbor.
Santa Cruz boasts a comfortable year round
climate, and a laid-back atmosphere. Large
waves can break at the entrance to the
harbor. Before you head out to the o cean,
watch where and how the waves break at the
opening. Sometimes, the safe area is rather
narrow, and you will have to quickly paddle
your kayak out into the ocean.
Map of Santa Cruz Harbor
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